Intraoperative maneuvers may affect the development of early postoperative small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: Multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) is one of the most common complications after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, and clarification of its causes is desired. Several reports have demonstrated the risks of EPSBO, but few have focused on laparoscopic surgery for CRC and intraoperative maneuvers. We therefore prospectively examined the risk factors for EPSBO after laparoscopic CRC resection. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 706 patients with CRC that underwent laparoscopic CRC resection in our hospital and affiliated hospitals. We analyzed several factors concerning EPSBO including intraoperative procedures. RESULTS: EPSBO developed in 43 of the 706 cases (6.1%). Univariate analysis showed that risk factors for EPSBO were male sex, increased operative time, repositioning of the small intestine before wound closure and anastomotic leakage. Risk factors for EPSBO according to multivariate analysis were increased operative time (odds ratio (OR) 2.41; P = 0.032), repositioning of the small intestine before wound closure (OR 3.58; P = 0.005) and anastomotic leakage (OR 3.91; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: To reduce EPSBO after laparoscopic CRC surgery, the operation should be finished as soon as possible without performing optional maneuvers. To avoid development to EPSBO, particular care is required in cases where the risk of anastomotic leakage is predicted to be high.

Prognostic factors in gastrointestinal perforation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postoperative complications associated with gastrointestinal (GI) perforation may lead to a poor prognosis. The goal of the study was to identify factors required for the establishment of appropriate perioperative procedures in such cases. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 51 patients with GI perforation treated from July 2007 to June 2008 in six hospitals in the Minamikawachi district. RESULTS: The perforation sites were the large intestine in 22 cases, small intestine in 15, stomach in 7 and duodenum in 7. Postoperative complications developed in 25 cases (49%), including infection in 20 and respiratory dysfunction in 13. Hospital mortality was 25% and the major causes of death were infection and respiratory dysfunction. The mortality was 52% and 0% in patients with and without postoperative complications, respectively. The mortality was 69% in the 13 patients with postoperative respiratory dysfunction compared to 11% for patients without respiratory dysfunction. Of the 7 patients with large intestine perforation, 4 were treated with sivelestat sodium. These 4 patients had a high mean SOFA score (11.5±1.3), but 2 out of 4 survived. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications occurred in approximately half of the patients with GI perforation and were associated with a poor prognosis. Prevention of respiratory dysfunction is particularly important for an improvement of outcome.

A wound protector shields incision sites from bacterial invasion.

BACKGROUND: Superficial surgical site infection (SSI) can be caused by bacterial invasion during surgery. We investigated whether bacteria are found at the wound margin during surgery and whether a wound protector (WP; Alexis® Wound Retractor; Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) contributes to preventing invasion of the incision margin. METHODS: We studied 272 patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery (115 gastric, 157 colorectal, including emergency operations) between October 2005 and July 2007. The WP was used in all operations. After the intra-abdominal procedures were complete, bacterial swabs were taken from the abdominal cavity side of the WP and from the incision margin and used to prepare smears and cultures. After the swabbing, peritoneal lavage was performed using 3,000-5,000 mL of physiologic saline, and, after suture of the fascia, 500-1,000 mL of physiologic saline was used to irrigate the subcutaneous tissue. RESULTS: Nine gastric surgery patients and 15 colorectal surgery patients had positive cultures from the abdominal cavity. No patients had positive cultures from the incision margin. Of the 24 patients with positive cultures, three suffered SSIs, all of whom had undergone colorectal surgery. Of the patients who had negative cultures, SSI occurred in only one patient, who had undergone colorectal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the WP protects an incision site from bacterial invasion.

A case of pathological complete response of advanced rectal cancer to preoperative chemoradiotherapy using S-1.

In patients with advanced rectal cancer, preoperative chemoradiotherapy is superior to postoperative chemoradiotherapy because of causing less toxicity and achieving higher rates of sphincter preservation and curative resection. We treated a patient who had advanced rectal cancer with preoperative chemotherapy using S-1 and concurrent radiotherapy. S-1 was orally administered at a dose of 100 mg/day during the first cycle (two-week on and one week off). During the third cycle, radiotherapy was initiated concurrently and a total dose of 45 Gy was given. The most severe adverse event was grade 3 leukopenia during the third cycle. On day 42 after completing radiotherapy, low anterior resection with diverting colostomy was performed. Histological examination found no viable cancer cells in the resected specimens, including the primary tumor site and lymph nodes. Thus, a pathological complete response was achieved. Postoperatively, anastomotic leakage occurred, but it was resolved with transanal drainage. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy using S-1 contributed to sphincter preservation and curative resection in this patient. This regimen was both effective and well-tolerated, suggesting that it could be useful for advanced rectal cancer.

Randomized, controlled investigation of the anti-infective properties of the Alexis retractor/protector of incision sites.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively investigated whether the wound-protective Alexis (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) wound retractor was effective in preventing surgical site infection (SSI). METHODS: We examined the actual condition of SSI in a 12-month randomized, controlled trial consisting of 221 patients who had undergone nontraumatic gastrointestinal surgery. The patients were divided into a With Alexis retractor group (n = 111) and a Without Alexis retractor group (n = 110). We also analyzed SSI separately on the basis of surgical sites such as gastric surgery or colorectal surgery. RESULTS: Overall estimation showed a significant decrease in wound infection (superficial incisional SSI) in the With Alexis retractor group. In the analysis based on surgical sites, a significant decrease in wound infection was noted in the With Alexis retractor group, the members of which had undergone colorectal surgery. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the occurrence of organ/space SSI, including anastomotic leak or intraperitoneal abscess. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that the use of the Alexis wound retractor would protect surgical wounds from contamination by bacteria and thus prevent infection.